DHAKA:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the abrogation of the 5th and the 7th amendments to the constitution would strengthen the democracy, as the judiciary disapproved of extra-constitutional regimes.

She made the comments Friday, a day after the High Court in its verdict declared illegal the seventh constitutional amendment that had given legal cover to general HM Ershad’s takeover and his military rule.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had declared void the fifth amendment that had ratified martial law regimes since the August 15, 1975 coup, including general Ziaur Rahman’s.          

“An opportunity has now come to strengthen the democracy and to keep up its trend as 5th and 7th amendments to the constitution were cancelled by the higher court,” said the Prime Minister before an Iftar party Friday.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) hosted the party at the National Press Club.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also urged the press/media to make constructive criticism of government activities in an acceptable way.

“You can criticize government misdeeds, if any, but propaganda in the name of criticism is not acceptable,” she said.

She told the function that the government has ensured freedom of press, but the media should not do anything that can hamper the forward march of democracy.

“We have brought back democracy after a long struggle”, said the Prime Minister.
Sheikh Hasina also said the government would consider reviving the Newspaper Employees’ Service ACT 1974.

“I am ready to work for the people and the country despite hundreds of risks,” said Hasina.

Her government would take necessary initiative to reinstate those who lost their jobs during the BNP-led government.

Recalling that at least 16 journalists were killed during the regime of BNP government, she assured journalists of bringing the murders to justice.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, CPB President Manzurul Ahsan Khan, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and BFUJ President Iqbal Sobahan Chowdhury, among others, attended the Iftar Mahfil.

BDST: 1950 HRS, AUGUST 27, 2010.